For PSG's UEFA Champions League debut against Slovan Bratislava, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue have been excluded from the starting lineup. Paris Saint-Germain host Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, September 9, as their first opponent in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign. With high expectations surrounding the back-to-back defending champions, the absence of marquee wingers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue from the starting XI raised immediate questions among supporters. Kvaratskhelia and Doue begin the match against Slovan Bratislava on the substitutes’ bench due to tactical squad management by manager Luis Enrique. Neither forward is dealing with an injury and both are 100 percent fit to feature, but the Spanish head coach opted to manage their workload for the European opener. Both the Georgian star and the young French international featured during weekend domestic action against AS Monaco, exiting in the 68th and 63rd minutes respectively as part of planned substitutions. In their absence, Ousmane Dembele occupies his usual central role in the attacking line, while Ferran Torres starts on the left wing and Maghnes Akliouche features on the right. Both Kvaratskhelia and Doue are expected to be deployed as second-half substitutes to maintain match rhythm. Le onze de départ pour notre première soirée de la saison en @ChampionsLeague ! #PSGSLB I @easportsfcfr pic.twitter.com/VsmAGuQUUm— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) September 9, 2026 Kvaratskhelia and Doue, key for PSG in recent UCL wins PSG enter the 2026-27 campaign with an opportunity to replicate a feat previously achieved only by Real Madrid: capturing three consecutive Champions League titles. Over the past two seasons, both Doue and Kvaratskhelia served as tactical cornerstones of Luis Enrique’s championship system. In the 2024-25 Champions League final against Inter Milan, Doue scored twice in a 5-0 victory, an outing that earned him the award as the competition’s best young player. During the 2025-26 campaign, Kvaratskhelia was named tournament player of the season after generating 10 goals and six assists. Confirmed lineups for PSG and Slovan Bratislava PSG’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Matvey Safonov; Achraf Hakimi, Ilyan Zabarnyi, William Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Dro Fernandez, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres.Head coach: Luis Enrique. Slovan Bratislava’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Dominik Takac; Cesar Blackman, Kenan Bajric, Svetozar Markovic, Sandro Cruz; Cristian Martinez, Peter Pokorny, Rahim Ibrahim; Tigran Barseghyan, Andraz Sporar, Suleiman Camara.Head coach: Yaya Toure
Liverpool are reportedly emerging as potential suitors for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, who was also very close to joining Chelsea during the summer. The Blues seemingly had a strong interest in Kone before pivoting to Monaco’s Lamine Camara late on in the summer, though that move also ended up falling through. Liverpool have been linked […] The post Ornstein reveals Liverpool interest in midfielder who was very close to Chelsea transfer – not Camara appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Letter alleges Fifa president ‘has abused his power’Donald Trump links and FFE scandal among objectionsMore than 100,000 people have added their names to a complaint against Gianni Infantino, alleging the Fifa president has “at a minimum, abused his power, violated his duty of political neutrality, and violated his duty of loyalty” through his interactions with Donald Trump.The Reboot Fifa campaign was launched before the World Cup with the aim of delivering “the biggest complaint Fifa has ever received” over the organisation’s alleged failings of governance. The campaign has since extended the scope of its accusations to include the reversal of the ban for Folarin Balogun at the tournament and the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme. Continue reading...
Everton fan Sarah Halpen has criticised the club's hierarchy for being "reactive" rather than "proactive" in the summer transfer window. The Toffees' business, which saw a £40m deal for forward Folarin Balogun collapse late on deadline day, has left manager David Moyes with just 18 senior outfield players until the next transfer window which opens on Friday, 1 January.
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